European Citizenship & Residency News
English briefings for the European citizenship and residency tracks hosted on Prep2Go.
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Cost of Living in Spain: What's More Expensive Than in Other European Countries?
A recent analysis by The Local Spain indicates that certain costs in Spain, including housing, utilities, and groceries, have surpassed average European levels. This challenges the long-held perception of Spain as an automatically affordable destination for expatriates and residents.
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Portuguese Accountants Warn of 'Huge Risks' with 6% VAT on Housing Construction
Portugal's accountants' association has warned Prime Minister Luís Montenegro that the new 6% VAT rate for certain housing construction and rehabilitation projects, while a good idea, presents 'huge risks' to developers due to unclear rules, potentially hindering affordable housing initiatives.
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Portugal Healthcare: Public SNS vs. Private Insurance for Expats and Residents
Portugal provides a free public healthcare system (Serviço Nacional de Saúde, SNS) for residents. However, most expats also choose private health insurance, often mandatory for visas or residency, to bypass long waiting times and access a wider range of specialists and services not readily available through the public
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Portuguese Police Clarify: Illegal Stay is an Administrative Offense, Not a Criminal Act
Portugal's Public Security Police (PSP) has issued a circular clarifying that an illegal stay in the country is an administrative offense, not a criminal one. This move follows concerns raised by the Ombudsman regarding disproportionate detentions of individuals without legal residency.
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Cyprus Police Arrest Four for Illegal Employment and Traffic Violations
Cyprus police arrested four individuals on Wednesday evening for offenses including illegal employment and traffic violations. Operations involved checks on 556 vehicles, 662 people, and 54 establishments, resulting in 342 traffic citations.
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MA 35 Vienna: Investigation into Alleged Manipulation of Residence Permit Documents
An investigation is underway at Vienna's MA 35 immigration office concerning two employees suspected of manipulating residence permit documents. Allegations include document forgery or disappearance from application files, which could impact application processing and decisions. Applicants are advised to monitor their
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40% of Highly Educated Immigrants in Norway Work Below Their Qualification Level
A significant 40% of highly educated immigrants in Norway are working in jobs that do not match their qualifications, according to a report from The Local. This trend impacts their earnings and means the country may not be fully utilizing their professional potential.
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Sweden Postpones Mandatory Language Tests for Citizenship Until 2029
The Swedish government has delayed the introduction of mandatory language tests for citizenship naturalization until 2029. This means applicants applying now or in the coming years will not be required to take a language test, with current requirements remaining unchanged.
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Sweden to Tighten Family Reunification Rules Starting October 1, 2026
Sweden will implement stricter family reunification rules starting October 1, 2026. New requirements for income and housing will apply to individuals seeking to bring relatives to Sweden, affecting all applications submitted on or after this date.
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Apartment Hunting in France: Americans Face Documentation Hurdles and Budget Shifts
Americans moving to France often encounter significant hurdles when securing housing, including extensive documentation requirements and the need for a guarantor. Adapting to French living costs and taxes necessitates a complete recalculation of their budget, as reported by The Local France.
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Germany Slashes Funding for Asylum Seeker Consultations by 80%
Germany's Interior Ministry is significantly cutting the budget for independent asylum seeker advisory services (Beratungsstellen) by approximately 80%. This reduction, reported by The Local, is expected to disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, including families with children, trauma survivors, and non-German s
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Over 500,000 EU Citizens in Spain Urged to Register for 2027 Municipal Elections
Spanish electoral authorities are reminding over 500,000 EU citizens residing in Spain to register their intent to vote in the 2027 municipal elections. This registration is a mandatory step to exercise local voting rights.
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Monthly update on September 2026: Portugal Proposes Healthcare and Rental Law Changes Amid AIMA Processing Shifts
This month, Portugal's ruling parties proposed a significant bill requiring non-residents to pay for public healthcare, citing €1.2 million in unpaid bills. The government also moved to deregulate the rental market, while immigration agency AIMA reported record Golden Visa
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Croatia Maintains Retirement Age at 65, Offering Predictability Amidst EU Increases
Croatia confirms its retirement age will remain 65, contrasting with a broader EU trend of increasing it to 70 and beyond. This decision provides stability and predictability for individuals working or planning to work in Croatia, distinguishing it from many neighboring countries.
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Morgan Stanley's Budapest Office Becomes Second Largest Global Hub, Employing 3,000
Morgan Stanley's Budapest office, established in 2006, has grown into a key global hub, now employing approximately 3,000 people. This makes it the company's second-largest center worldwide, after India, according to office head Daniel Mayer.
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Salzburg Citizenship Department Relocating in December: Expect Service Disruptions
The Salzburg Citizenship Department is moving to a new address in December. This relocation will temporarily limit access to services and may alter document submission procedures. Applicants for citizenship or residency should clarify details in advance to avoid delays.
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Austria to Close Three Refugee Centers Amidst Declining Asylum Applications
Austria plans to close three federal refugee centers, citing a decrease in asylum applications. This move aims to optimize infrastructure, but applicants should be aware of potential impacts on processing times and center capacity.
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93,000 Foreign Residents in Norway Work Below Their Qualification Level
According to The Local, approximately 93,000 foreign residents in Norway are employed in roles for which they are overqualified. This often leads to a significant salary gap and career stagnation, highlighting challenges in foreign qualification recognition.